SEREMBAN: Kuala Lumpur Sea Games hero N. Thanabalan is determined to make an impact when he plays for the national team at the Under-23 AFC Championships in China next month.
Thanabalan, who has not played a competitive match since FELCRA FC's FAM Cup campaign came to an end, said his main focus for the moment is to maintain a high level of performance to ensure his place in the starting lineup is secure.
"My goal at the AFC Championship is to perform just as well as I did at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games and help the team win every match and go as far as we can," said the Negri Sembilan-born player.
"To do that, I have to focus on my performance, especially in terms of finishing, as we will be up against some very strong teams from across Asia.
"I want to achieve more and the competition in China (AFC Championship) is a good chance for me to do so".
Thanabalan, who will rejoin Negri Sembilan next season, stressed that he wants to be a mainstay of the national team.